Our Hospice Team
Hospice provides end of life care and support services to patients, their families and significant others. Care is coordinated by a team of professionals and volunteers dedicated to providing physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual support to optimize quality of life through the final stages of illness, the dying process and bereavement period.
Medical Director
Works directly with your Attending Physician to coordinate your plan of care, provides effective pain and symptom management and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team on your plan of care to make sure your physical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual needs are being met.
Nurse
Helps prevent and relieve pain and other symptoms, and to teach caregivers ways to provide for your care. The nurse will also make certain that necessary medical supplies and equipment are ordered, and will assist in monitoring medications. Regular communication with your physician will make certain that he/she is aware of your status and that orders are being followed. Your hospice nurse will try to anticipate your needs and assist you to better understand the natural progression of your illness. With this information you will be encouraged to make decisions regarding your care.
Social Worker
Services that may be provided by the social worker include:
Providing emotional support, counseling and guidance to the patient and family in coping with stress related to the illness.
Identifying community resources which are available to help you.
Assisting the patient and family with planning funeral arrangements, nursing home placement, etc.
Offering information about advance directives
Spiritual Counselor
Hospice spiritual care is based on a high respect for the patient’s and caregiver’s personal faith and belief. The hospice spiritual counselor is available to assist patients and families cope with the significant spiritual issues that often arise during terminal illness. The services offered include regular pastoral care visits, being on-call and available for crises, conducting funeral and memorial services as requested, and contacting a patient’s own clergy, pastoral counselor or other individuals for additional support, if desired. The hospice spiritual counselor does not impose his/her personal belief system or seek to change the beliefs of others.
Hospice Aide
The hospice aide / homemaker assists with the patient’s personal care which includes bathing, dressing, grooming, hair care, shaving, skin care, linen changes, catheter care and other light housekeeping tasks.Depending upon your needs, your case manager and IDG will develop a schedule for your hospice aide / homemaker.
Volunteer
Provides support and companionship to you and your family members. Trained Volunteers can provide such services as running errands, grocery shopping or providing respite services to caregivers and family members.